focus

Friday, March 27, 2009

So, I am the type of knitter that feels most comfortable with one big project on the needles. I can do one big project and one small (1 sweater and 1 small something) but that really is my comfort zone. I truly lose sleep when I have too many projects started. Crazy, I know. Usually, I resist the temptation to start something new. Lately, not so much. I have four things on the needles. That sort of makes me nervous.Number 1: I knit with six others (non-bloggers) once a week. I have for years. And we decided to do a little knit-a-long. So, last week I cast on for the wool bam boo rickrack pullover. This project will be slow going as I hand out the starting/stopping points. Last week I gave them an eight row assignment. (See, this one will take a while.) Number 2: I ordered another cone of the habu merino for my kusha kusha scarf, because I ran short. It arrived last week. (Darn.) This may seem like a "little" project, but knitting with string sort of turns this into a big project.Number 3: My plisse. Yes. The project that has captured my attention. Above is a shot of half of the back and one sleeve. The construction of the Hanne Falkenberg sweaters are what keep you going. Keep you wanting more. Mostly done in one piece with very little finishing. Gotta love that.

Number 4: Well, that seed stitch throw, over in my sidebar. I must admit that project is in total hibernation. I wanted to knit a couple of rows a day. Hasn't happened.

So, I'm going to try to focus on my plisse and hopefully be able to sleep. The rest will sit in my sidebar (with a little attention).

Enjoy your weekend!!

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I've been quilting for a long time and have many projects that may never get finished :( When I started knitting, I decided not to do that, so try to finish what I start; two projects going at the most. But I am a beginner, so I may get worse as I am lured by beautiful projects! I love the rickrack pullover. Good luck with your projects!

I think you will be okay. Think of it this way - sleep equals more focused awake time to knit! I always have a couple of projects and do feel overwhelmed with more - like you. But, sometimes, even if I love what a project will look like, I might struggle with the project and it needs to be set aside for a while in order to see it anew and with motivation - this is where I am at with my birthday socks. It needs to be okay. So, be okay. ~Kelly

It seems that sometimes with my knitting I go through cycles. One thing on the needles or so many that I feel like it's taking over :). Your wips are looking lovely....can't wait to see them all finished!

I'm a total knit monogamist too. It's nice to finally hear of someone with the same philosophy.

And it's funny - I'm knitting the slippers from the '08 Interweave Holiday Gifts and the Rickrack sweater is featured on the ad on the back of the issue and it just caught my attention. I can't wait to see yours!

Not crazy at all! I have the same parameters, but I think it stems back to my childhood when my mother would insist I finish one project before starting another. I love being completely done and ready to move on!

How healthy that there are many attitudes about projects! We each move at our own pace, sometimes with deadlines, or intentions or hopes. It's all OK. I try to enjoy the process as much as the outcome. Wishing you all a productive weekend...

Oh Leslie, you transmit enthusiasm!! And "willing to do"too! :-)I have many ideas and beginned project too... And I never have enough time in my "daily life" to do everything I would like to do...!!!But, hope never die.. and I am sure I will finish every project well and with satisfaction!

With your projects so clearly in mind and now chronicled here, I've no doubt, with deep breaths and the gentle vibe of creative friends singing in your ear, that you'll complete each with attention and time to detail, to pleasure. Grounded, focused...ALIVE!

And good things surround you, my friend! Thank you for the positive energy I know because of sharing delicious space. I think someone, too, in cyberspace perhaps needed that same energy which is why your first comment disappeared over my way! :)

they all look great--it would be hard to decide which to work on. That's great you have a knitting group. I scrapbook with a friend--that's the only way I get it done. :) Our library has a monthly knitting get together--I've to go to one soon.

I know just how you feel, I am very project monogamous, only one thing at a time, apart from the small travelling project that lives in my handbag. I get very anxious if I have cast on too many things. Take some deep breaths and focus on your Plisse, relax and enjoy.

I am EXACTLY the same way! Project monogamy...I can't handle more than one. I also can't handle having too much stash -- it really stresses me out and I feel like I have to knit it all immediately. All of your projects look lovely, though! The worst is having ones you don't want to work on.

I have way to many things going and sometimes they make me crazy so I throw one in the closet for awhile. Right now I'm trying to conquer socks - thats why I started a shell - need something for when I the sock gets to me. Love what you are knitting. Thanks for the baby hat pattern. You always seem to know what I need and pass out the pattern.

Hehe, only 4? Just kidding, focus is great, or at least it should be, that's what they tell me... (I'm not so good at it myself...)I have about 6 or 8 things going at once, but it is the things I focus on that get finished!

I love the projects you've got going right now. I like to have a large and a small one going--that way, while I slog away at the large one, I can feel like I'm getting something finished with the small one!

Of course, right now I have two large ones going...I started my first lace shawl, and between the tiny yarn and the pattern, I needed to work on something else in a "normal" size yarn. So I cast on for the February Lady Sweater. As long as I can do a row or two of the FLS every day, I don't feel too bad about having to rip stitches back to my latest lifeline on the shawl...

You always make the greatest things -- love Hanne Falkenberg sweater! I'm always inspired by your work.I can't manage to work on one project at a time myself -- need at least 3 or 4 going at the same time. Right now, I'm knitting a little Rowan denim pinafore for a grandchild, my first pair of socks, and crocheting the market bag shown on Martha Stewart this week -- keeps things from getting too monotonous, ya know ;-)?

I always have multiple projects on the go. Big one for at home, medium for knitting when I have time to sit but not at home and small ones for waiting in the car etc. Just never been successful at being loyal to one project start to finish at a time.

I have never minded having a few things on the needles at the same time. You know for different situations ie: tv knitting, on the go knitting, full concentration knitting. But now that I have started knitting sweaters...anything more than a sweater and maybe one pair of socks and I feel like I am drowning.

I'm in the same comfort zone as you - one at a time keeps me committed to seeing a project through to the end (and I'm slow enough with one at a time thank you). On the other hand, if a couple of extra projects are keeping you up at night -- you could just brew some tea and put in some extra knitting by lamplight. Hey, if you're up anyways (hee hee). Really though, this is you we're talking about. You'll get through all of these in record time and they will each look stunning. : )

I'm in the same comfort zone as you - one at a time keeps me committed to seeing a project through to the end (and I'm slow enough with one at a time thank you). On the other hand, if a couple of extra projects are keeping you up at night -- you could just brew some tea and put in some extra knitting by lamplight. Hey, if you're up anyways (hee hee). Really though, this is you we're talking about. You'll get through all of these in record time and they will each look stunning. : )

I feel the exact same way. I'm not productive at all if I have more than one big project going...a handful of littles are ok, but I quickly become overwhelmed. I can't wait to see some of your finished projects!

I find it really hard having more than one thing on the go -- at the minute I have 3 little things and never know which one to pick up first -- good luck, and I hope you get your seed stitch thro finished lisa x

Looks like you've got quite a bit to do! :) I used to have a million projects going at once and it ended up driving me crazy too. So now I am trying to do one thing at a time, sometimes two. Socks have re entered my knitting life again so I always have a pair going on.

I'm so similar...too many projects makes me bonkers. I like all the projects you've got going. That rick rack pullover is really nice. And I'm quite interested in seeing how fabulous you make the kusha kusha scarf. That's one of those things, I'm sure I'll love once I see yours done :).

I was thinking about how you mostly do one thing at a time, and how that seems a much better plan than my... um... OK, I'm too embarrassed to tell you how many I have going. But I have a car sock, a main sweater, a scarf (or two...).. you know? I just need different kinds of knitting for different kinds of days. I sometimes feel like I have a lot going on and nothing getting done, but then all of a sudden, I'll have a few things done at once, which is nice. I don't know why I'm telling you my life story right now... I forget what my point was. (There has been some wine, I'll admit. But it was deserved, after my NY trip with NO YARN, and NO KUSHA KUSHA to show for it. Despite attempts at both. Very frustrating, that Habu store!)

I am the same as you with the 2 projects. But with my Gloria kit knit I am going to take so long I am allowing myself an extra knit now and then! I find it easier if I out away what I am not working on and just keep one thing out at a time, I hope that helps!

each one is looking great! I get a little nervous when I have too many projects going, because i'm afraid I'll forget where I am and have to start all over. I don't always take good notes :) The Plisse sweater looks beautiful!

the finisher in me can't have too many things going or I get crazy as well, so I can relate to your feelings. but boy do you have an awesome collection of projects going. they're all beautiful but will be spectacular once you model them!

I so envy your knitting ability. I haven't knitted very long..have knitted some scarves and with your inspiration, I am tackling a sweater. Not sure I should have picked the project I did. I am making a sweater you made - Flow - out of Seduce by Berroco. I am having trouble with the first row casted on. It just looks uneven. Any suggestions?

My Mom always told me my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I'm kinda like that as an adult, but with knitting. I have TOO many projects on the needles and can barely finish a thing.I have more faith in you though. :)

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